EM353 Conservation Biology

Updated: 16 January 2013

Unit Information
Additional Information

Credit Points

Offering

Responsible Campus	Teaching Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus

Intensive School(s)

Start	Finish	Attendance	Notes
19 April 2013	22 April 2013	Mandatory

Supervised Exam

There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.

Pre-requisites

any 48cp

Co-requisites

None

Restrictions

EM422 or EM453 or EM522 or EM553

Notes

Combined Units

EM553 - Conservation Biology

Coordinator(s)

Karl Vernes (kvernes@une.edu.au)

Unit Description

This unit covers the principles and practice of biological conservation. Topics include: assessment of species conservation status and management priorities; patterns and causes of rarity, extinction and decline; re-introductions; captive breeding; conservation genetics; biodiversity; threat analysis and mitigation; effects of fragmentation and isolation; conservation evaluation - issues include the viability and management of ecological reserves and conservation policy and attitudes.

Important Information

Where calculators are permitted in examinations, it must be selected from an approved list, which can be accessed from the Further Information link below.

Further information

Referenced Material
Optional

Text(s):

Note: Reference material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Practical Conservation Biology: ISBN: 9780643090897

Lindenmayer, D. and Burgman, M., CSIRO Publishing 2005

Note: This is also available as an e-book through the Dixson Library, UNE

Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus

Disclaimer

Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Assessment

Title	Exam Length	Weight	No. Words
Assignment 1		30%	1500
Assessment Notes
Essay

Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1-6
Assignment 2		30%	2500
Assessment Notes
Practical Report

Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-4 GA: 1-6

Final Examination	2 hrs	40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1-6

Learning Outcomes (LO)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

evaluate and appreciate the conservation status of species and ecological communities;
critically research and evaluate conservation biology literature;
understand and explain the principles of small and declining population theories;
prepare a scientific report or essay that critically discusses and evaluates the key issues of a scientific question;
understand and explain the principles of reserve selection.

Graduate Attributes (GA)

	Attribute	Taught	Assessed	Practised
1	Knowledge of a Discipline The concepts and skills underpinning the discipline will be Taught, Assessed and Practised through the unit learning objectives and applied in different contexts.
2	Communication Skills Via an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments.
3	Global Perspectives Via an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments and in lectures dealing in global conservation issues.
4	Information Literacy Via the researching for written assignments in scientific, literature and government documents and websites.
5	Life-Long Learning Skills are imparted that allow students to understand current and future environmental issues and how to access relevant knowledge.
6	Problem Solving Problem Solving is taught and practised in laboratory classes and assessed through practical reports
7	Social Responsibility Through an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments.
8	Team Work Through an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments.

Global UNE Links:

Course and Unit Catalogue 2013

Sub sections:

Quick Search

Quick Links

EM353 Conservation Biology

Email to a friend